How to Create Kids’ Morning and Playtime Routines at Home

Although each individual child may vary, ultimately, children (and adults) thrive on routine. Kids’ who have a set schedule throughout the day will possess a sense of stability regarding their lives, which often leads to a decrease in behavioral issues and has a positive effect on their performance in school, relationships with friends, and numerous other areas.

Of course, there may be certain times when following a set routine is impractical or even impossible, such as in the event of an emergency or any other unplanned affair. However, having a basic schedule, especially during the morning and during playtime, you can follow is a simple way to improve the lives of your children and your entire family.

And, how, exactly can you start the process of crafting a routine for you and your kids? Simple – consider these basic tips on how to create kids’ morning routines that are easy to implement and fun to follow.

Consider the Age of Your Children

Before you start creating a day planner for your little ones, one of the most important preliminary steps is assessing the age and maturity of your children. Specifically, older kids may often react more positively to a packed schedule, while other little ones and toddlers may require more transition time throughout the day in between activities, and may even reap the most benefit when they given more freedom on a day-to-day basis.

Routines May Be Broken…

In addition to considering the age and maturity level of your little ones when you create their routine, also keep in mind that while routines can be extremely beneficial for little ones, they should only be used as guidelines, and not as strict laws. In some cases, as mentioned above, it may not be practical to follow a routine for the day. Or, in other cases, your child may wish to try out a different activity that isn’t within the schedule that you detailed. In these cases you shouldn’t force your child to adhere to a routine of activities, and instead may wish to modify the schedule of the day.

…But Routines Should Be Consistent

On the other hand, while routines should serve as more of guidelines than general laws, it is important that you maintain consistency on a regular basis. To be sure, a routine is, by nature, something that is performed often enough to become a standard practice; as such, while it is perfectly fine to deviate once in awhile, you should make a point to ensure the routine you select becomes the norm.

Start with the Night Before

Now comes the fun part – creating the morning routine! In the beginning, try starting the night before by writing down a list of tasks and chores that your children should be prepared to complete the next morning. This list may include washing hands and faces, eating breakfast, cleaning up the table afterward, brushing teeth, and doing anything else necessary to get ready for the day’s activities. When your children have a visible list in front of them, it will help prepare their minds for the next day, and the routine won’t catch them off guard.

Also, make sure to keep in mind the amount of time your children have in the morning when filling up their schedule, making sure to place only an appropriate amount of chores to complete in the minutes allotted.

Begin as Soon as the Kids Wake Up

For many children, the first minutes after waking up are spent lazily moving about, adjusting to the early hours. However, while you shouldn’t rush your child, it may help to get him or her moving on the routine as quickly as possible. By keeping him or her engaged in a task as soon as he or she wakes up, you can help ensure your child has a productive morning.

Evaluate a Routine Over Time

Finally, like with anything else in your life, it is important to determine whether or not this routine is proving beneficial to the lives of your and your family. For example, if your child seems to thrive by following this specific schedule, and you notice a decrease in behavioral issues and an increase in productivity, it may be in your best interest to implement this for the long term. If, however, you notice the opposite, you shouldn’t hesitate to change things up and try something new. Periodic evaluation of your routine is the best way to make sure things are working.

How to Create Kids’ Playtime Routines

Institute morning and playtime routines for your little ones is a great way to keep them on track and maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. And if you are curious about how to create a playtime routine for kids or how to create a morning routine for kids, consider these tips and get started today.

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